So You Want A Puppy?
When deciding to purchase any dog it is not a decision to be taken lightly! If you live a busy lifestyle then owning a dog is probably not a good idea. Dogs as a rule like routine and prefer to be fed at set times, they also need regular exercise. Will you have time to exercise them daily? If you have a young family then your dog will need to fit into your environment, and you will need to spend good quality time throughout their lives, especially when they are young. If you live on your own and are out at work all day, it isn't fair on the dog to be left alone all day long. Will you be able to give one to one attention and time to your dog? What ever your lifestyle, you must put the needs of the dog first!
As with most breeds training and socialisation is paramount! The Dogue de Bordeaux can be the most loyal and unselfish of dogs. As a rule they are calm and gentle, but very protective of their masters/family. Over the years the blackened history of the Dogue de Bordeaux has, with a few dedicated breeders and careful breeding plans, been bred out of them. My personal experiences with the Dogue de Bordeaux are that they are very aware of all situations, but don't react unless absolutely necessary. The Dogue de Bordeaux is built to look the part, but more often than not they are as gentle as a pussy cat. The Dogue de Bordeaux need to be very well socialized as soon as possible. They need to be taken to as many places as possible and meet as many people as possible in their first few months of life!! They can, if not socialized properly be quite shy or nervous of strangers. If brought up correctly children and Dogue de Bordeaux are fine, making very good companions. They have a vast amount of patience, but it is vital that the children know when to respect the dogs quiet times and when not to pester, the same as the dog knowing it's place beneath the children in the family.
When thinking about buying any dog, you should do your home work first! Speak to as many breeders as possible to learn about the breed. Any reputable breeder will be only to happy to enlighten you about the joys and pitfalls of owning a Dogue de Bordeaux. If at all possible go along and see as many examples of the breed that you can, visit breeders, go along to a dog show! Arm yourself with as much knowledge about the breed to enable you to decide if the Dogue de Bordeaux is for you!
The Dogue de Bordeaux can suffer from health problems such as gastric torsion (bloat), heart problems, skin problems, hip and elbow displasia and most other health issues that large breeds can be prone to!
All puppies are cute when they are little! But think to yourself, this cute little puppy is not going to stay little for long! Are you prepared for what the cute puppy will grow into? An adult Dogue de Bordeaux is a very large, strong, powerful, drooling breed!!!!! Is this what you want? Could you cope with slobber up the walls, on your furniture? Are you prepared to put the effort into toilet training, socialising and training? You only get out of any dog what you put in!!!
The purchase of a Dogue de Bordeaux is a costly one! Can you afford the vets bills? Can you afford insurance? Can you afford the large food bills? Dogue de Bordeaux are a large breed and it is vitally important that they should be fed correctly on a quality premium dog food for large breeds or as I do "raw" feed. Raw feeding is far the best for a healthy dog in my opinion. Please see my link on raw feeding in my links page. If fed on cheap grain/cereal based foods you risk your puppy developing growth/bone problems!!!!. Don't think that buying one at a cheap price is good and saving money. Expect to part with a lot of your hard earned cash for a puppy!!! Don't make the mistake of thinking that it doesn't matter if you don't want to show, you only want a pet. You want to buy a puppy that is in good health, clean and free from any infections. At the end of the day you want a well bred puppy that is a good representative of the breed, and bred from health screened parents! It's not a guarantee, but you stand a better chance of ending up with a healthy adult Bordeaux in later life.
If you decide that a Bordeaux is the breed for you, carefully choose a breeder! A reputable breeder is some one who only breeds from sound, even tempered, healthy examples of the breed. A reputable breeder cares were their puppies are going and will vet all potential new owners. Expect to be given the third degree when visiting a breeder. A reputable breeder will be only to happy to answer the list of questions that you should be armed with! If you are not 100% happy with any breeder DO NOT BUY FROM THEM! Don't expect to just turn up and take a puppy on the day. Most reputable breeders will expect you to make a few visits, for them to see that you are suitable new owners, and also for you to go away and think things through. A reputable breeder will have a contract drawn up for both yourselves and them to sign. Contracts usually include any endorsements that may have been placed on the puppy, breeding restrictions, and most importantly, that if at any time you can no longer keep the puppy then it is to be returned to them the breeder. If you are happy with a breeder, and they are happy with you, then you can leave a deposit. A reputable breeder will always be at the end of the phone for any questions or problems you may have, for the rest of the puppy's life!!
copyright Jehane Bordeaux
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If you have decided that a Dogue de Bordeaux is the breed for you, then good luck. I hope that you get as much love and enjoyment out of your Bordeaux as mine have given me over the years!!!
